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2014 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - SB5003 (Floor Approved)

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Committee Plan for Funding Judgeships (language only)

Item 50 #1s

Item 50 #1s

Judicial Department
Judicial Department Reversion Clearing Account

Language
Page 31, line 34, strike "2010" and insert "2014".
Page 31, line 35, strike "2010" and insert "2016".
Page 31, strike lines 36-47.
Page 32, strike lines 1-48.
Page 33, strike lines 1-48.
Page 34, strike lines 1-49.
Page 35, strike lines 1-48.
Page 36, strike lines 1-32, and insert:
"A. Notwithstanding the provisions of
§ 16.1-69.6:1, Code of Virginia, or of Senate Bill 443 and House Bill 606 of the 2014 General Assembly, the number of judges in the respective districts which are funded in this act, as of July 1, 2014, shall be as follows:
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of
§17.1-507, Code of Virginia, or of Senate Bill 443 and House Bill 606 of the 2014 General Assembly, the number of judges in the respective circuits which are funded in this act, as of July 1, 2014, shall be as follows:
C. On or before June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget shall revert to the general fund amounts estimated at $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year, representing savings from vacant judgeships, including the following, due to the retirement of the incumbent judges:
1. One Circuit Court judgeship in the Second Circuit, which is expected to become vacant as of December 31, 2014, and which is expected to be filled effective July 1, 2015.
2. One General District Court judgeship in the Thirteenth District, which is expected to become vacant as of July 31, 2014, and which will no longer be authorized as of that date, pursuant to Senate Bill 443.
3. One Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judgeship in the Thirteenth District, which is expected to become vacant as of December 31, 2014, and which will no longer be authorized as of that date, pursuant to Senate Bill 443.
4. One newly authorized General District Court judgeship in the Eleventh District, which is not expected to be filled until July 1, 2015.
D. With the exceptions as noted in paragraph C. above, the provisions of Senate Bill 443 and House Bill 606, as adopted by the 2014 General Assembly, shall govern the appointment of judges to the Circuit and District Courts of the Commonwealth.
E. On or before June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2015, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget shall revert to the general fund amounts estimated at $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year, from general fund balances in the Indigent Defense Commission."


Explanation
(This amendment specifies the 401 judgeships for which funding is included in this act as of July 1, 2014, out of the 429 judgeships authorized by Senate Bill 443 and House Bill 606, as adopted by the 2014 General Assembly, for the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. The total of 401 judgeships includes 155 Circuit Court judges, 121 General District Court judges, and 125 Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judgeships funded as of July 1, 2014. During fiscal year 2015, certain retirements and the election of one new judgeship, as specified in this item, will result in a net reduction in the total number of judgeships funded to 399 as of July 1, 2015. These adjustments result in unexpended balances estimated at $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year, which will be transferred to the general fund on or before June 30 of each year. This amendment also transfers to the general fund additional unexpended balances estimated at $300,000 each year from the Indigent Defense Commission.)